Milwaukie Academy of the Arts

Milwaukie Academy of the Arts is a magnet-style public school that draws creative, arts-focused families from across the North Clackamas area, offering a curriculum where artistic thinking is woven into academics rather than treated as an afterthought. Sitting in Milwaukie — a laid-back inner-ring suburb just south of Portland with a tight-knit feel, a growing food and coffee scene, and easy access to the Willamette River — the school tends to attract families who want strong academics alongside a culture that genuinely values expression and creativity. If you're looking for a public school option that feels a little different from the traditional mold, and you're drawn to the unpretentious, community-minded vibe that Milwaukie has been quietly cultivating, this one is worth a close look.